Virgin shuns Apple MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air customers left without charging options

31 May 2008 14:02 GMT / By Stuart Miles

Virgin Atlantic air travellers who opt to use an Apple MacBook, MacBook Pro or MacBook Air are being left out when it comes to working in the sky Pocket-lint has learnt.

Although the airline advertises that its customers can power their laptop in the air, Richard Branson's fleet has yet to get around to updating the power options for Apple laptop customers.

The news means thousands of MacBook and MacBook Pro travellers are being left out in the cold unable to work longer than their battery dictates.

The airline offers business travellers a power cable and tip for laptops with a large majority of PC laptops covered, however when it comes to Apple, only older PowerBook users can benefit.

Apple changed its power cable in 2007 with the introduction of the MacBook and MacBook Pro. The power cable tip features a magnet it in so it holds onto the laptop, while at the same time not damaging it if it's pulled on.

UPDATE: Virgin has got in touch with Pocket-lint to clarify some of the points in our article. Here is its response:

“Unlike other airlines, Virgin Atlantic offers passengers power connectivity to thousands of different laptop types. Unfortunately Apple has not yet licensed their power connector so Virgin Atlantic would not be able to offer this. However, as is evident from the responses, most people that wish to use their Apple Macbook when they are travelling have purchased an Apple adaptor, which allows them to work onboard flights without using their battery power.

“Virgin Atlantic is always looking to offer its passengers the best
connectivity in the skies and will continue to introduce new innovations and connections as and when they become available to us.”

Comments

Well Thats apple's fault. They have not licensed their power connector and refuse to. Posted by Chuck, USA
the connection to the power brick is the same surely people can just use thier own last section of the power cable with the virgin powerbook cable? Posted by alex, england
* The MagSafe adapter, on the MacBook Pro, was first introduced in January of 2006.

* Any self-respecting business traveller should bring their own Airplane Power Adapter, which will plug into their charging system. Posted by steve, usa
Thanks Steve, i had forgotten it was that long ago since the introduction of the magsafe adapter. Doesn't time fly. Posted by stuartmiles, United Kingdom
This report is misleading and completely inaccurate. As a frequent traveler on Virgin to London I use my MacBook Pro all the time using Apple's adaptor. Apple sells the MagSafe Airline Adapter which compatible with both EmPower and Cigarette DC Power for less than $50.

The REAL story here is Virgin is giving out the equivalent of iGo packages on planes for those who do not have one. They are not, contrary to the article's tone, forcing Apple users to go on battery.

No airline, other than Virgin, does this so any flyer with an Apple laptop and no adaptor won't be any worse off. It would be nice if Apple licensed the MagSafe set-up but truthfully the Apple Airline Adaptor is pretty cheap!

Anyway the article is TOTALLY wrong and misses the real story which is how Virgin is looking to help the few that forget or don't have an adaptor when no one else in the airline industry is. Very poor research. Posted by Jeffsters, USA